Tuesday 19 July 2016 7:34 pm

Manchester United will win the transfer window if they sign Paul Pogba – but it’ll be a big blow if they don’t

Sports Editor

Arsenal

I wouldn’t be thrilled if I was an Arsenal fan. Granit Xhaka is the Gunners’ only major addition this summer, which suggests Arsene Wenger must be pretty happy with his starting XI.

With the way they finished the season, I’m surprised he hasn’t been bolder, while seemingly not having an alternative option when a move for Jamie Vardy collapsed smacked of arrogance.

Chelsea

N’Golo Kante is a good signing and I think could spell the end for Jon Obi Mikel at Stamford Bridge, while Michy Batshuayi is certainly better than Falcao, whose place he is taking.

There have been no major sales and I wonder whether Chelsea might be tempted to let new boss Antonio Conte keep a large squad while he figures out who fits his plans.

It would be a strain on the wage bill but they simply can’t afford another poor season.

Leicester

Nampalys Mendy and Ahmed Musa may not be household names but the champions have shown with N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez that they are very capable of identifying unheralded talent.

Cleverly they seem to have got their business done early, giving Claudio Ranieri maximum team to integrate the new players into the team framework that was so important to their success last term.

Liverpool

Sadio Mane’s arrival gives them options on the flanks and from deep but I feel Jurgen Klopp could still do with offloading Christian Benteke and signing a more mobile striker better suited to his tactics.

If they aim to have a truly memorable season next term then I’d expect them to do more business as at the moment this doesn’t look like a squad to break back into the top four.

Man City

Ilkay Gundogan will be a real asset to the Premier League, but Nolito did not excite me much with his showing at Euro 2016 and so far City’s business does not thrill me.

Pep Guardiola’s record has more than earned him the benefit of the doubt, though. The challenge will be for him to find players who fit his vision who are also up to the rigours of what looks like being the toughest season ever.

Man Utd

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the iconic signing United needed and underlines the power of the club despite missing Champions League football.

I can’t wait to see how the team is built around him, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a good signing too.

The pressure is greater on Jose Mourinho than his rival Guardiola but if they sign Paul Pogba too they’ll have won the transfer window. If they don’t, after this long courtship, it’ll be a big blow.